By Jamie Trecker SportsTicker Contributing Editor DUBLIN, Ireland (Ticker) -- For the American men hoping to make the World Cup squad, Wednesday's game against Ireland (ESPN2, 2:30 EDT) is the last chance.

Most of the 18 players (if not all) named to the roster are expected to form the core of the 23-man squad, which coach Bruce Arena is slated to announce on April 22 on ESPN's "SportsCenter". "I think, to a point it's pretty clear who is going to be on the roster but it's not all written in stone," Arena said Monday. "There are still a couple of people who are on the fence, but I think we're 80 to 90 percent there." The players on the bubble at this match are most likely: Eddie Lewis, who has been erratic; Josh Wolff, who has yet to recapture his qualification form; and Eddie Pope, who presents question marks because of his fragility. Frankie Hejduk, once an outsider, seems to have found a slot in Arena's plans due to his speed and alleged versatility. The United States, which is 7-2-1 in 2002 (2-3-2 lifetime against Ireland), will look to begin to find some cohesion after being hit with a raft of injuries early. Captain Claudio Reyna returns to the US squad after suffering a hamstring pull in a 4-2 loss to Germany in March. Reyna, who this weekend was ejected during his club match against Liverpool when the Sunderland midfielder kicked England captain Michael Owen in the groin, remains the focal point of the offense.

Ajax Amsterdam's John O'Brien, New York's Clint Mathis and Brian McBride of the Columbus Crew are expected to be the drivers toward goal with Earnest Stewart providing midfield support. According to McBride, who barring injury should be a lock to make the roster, everyone on the team remains focussed on the game. "Nobody is really talking about it (selection)," he said. "I know I haven't talked to anyone about it. Everybody is just preparing as best they can, trying to show as well as they can. There are still a lot of unknowns and I think I'm basically just waiting to see what will happen." Mathis has been this year's deadliest striker for the USA. Scoring five goals in his last seven games, including both against Germany, Mathis has shown remarkable improvement.

"Clint has just done great every game for us," said McBride. "He just seems to get better and better every time he plays." Ireland is the third European opponent the Americans have faced this year. The Americans have yet to win a contest against a UEFA nation in 2002; both of the losses this year came against Euro powers Italy and Germany. The tiny island nation is proof of the far-reaching -- and enriching -- arms of the English Premier League. Once best known for Gaelic football, today, the Republic fields a roster loaded with EPL talent that reads like a who's who: Robbie Keane (Leeds United), Steve Staunton (Aston Villa) and Sunderland vet and Reyna teammate Niall Quinn are all booking a trip to Japan/Korea 2002. (Quinn will not play Wednesday due to a neck injury.)NOTES: U.S. defenseman David Regis was scratched Tuesday from the roster due to a knee injury (sprain, day-to day). Greg Vanney will start in his place...